Austin Sigg, suspect in slaying of Jessica Ridgeway, will be tried as adult

By Kirk Mitchell and Ryan ParkerThe Denver Post

Posted:
11/30/2012 10:26:02 AM MST

Austin Sigg

Defense attorneys for the suspect in the murder and kidnapping of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway have waived his right to seek a transfer to juvenile court.

Austin Sigg, who turns 18 in 52 days, will be tried as an adult.

The judge in the case also ruled Tuesday, Nov. 27, that Sigg will be transferred from Mount View Youth Services Center, where he was being held in isolation, to county jail, where he will be in a special housing unit.

"It's clear in this case that the adult facility is the appropriate place to keep Mr. Sigg," District Judge Stephen Munsinger said.

Sigg is being held without bail and faces 17 counts including 11 related to the abduction and killing of Jessica, including first-degree murder after deliberation, three counts of felony murder, second-degree kidnapping and robbery. The charging documents also allege that Jessica was a victim of sexual assault and that her attacker used force during the assault.

In the case of a female jogger Sigg allegedly attacked earlier, the six counts include attempted first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual assault.

Division of Youth Corrections officials testified at the hearing that the youth facility presented safety problems not only for other children in the facility but for Sigg himself.

Some residents of the youth facility had made comments about what they would do to him if they had access to him, said Dave Maynard, who oversees the Lakewood facility where Sigg has been housed since shortly after his arrest.

The facility houses boys and girls, ages 10 to 20. Parents of children being housed in the facility expressed concern about the danger Sigg posed to their kids.

Sigg was held in an isolation room under constant supervision, Maynard said.

Authorities indicated that a more suitable location for the "mature and intelligent" teen was in the a special unit in the adult facility where he would be kept separated from adults but have educational and recreational opportunities he wouldn't have at the youth facility.

But Sigg's public defenders expressed concern that the adult jail poses a serious threat to his safety.

Sigg has not violated any rules at the youth facility, he hasn't tried to escape and he has not harmed other residents or staff, said Katherine Spengler, his attorney.

"We very much oppose this transfer," Spengler said. "He has not been a management problem."

Jessica was kidnapped on her way to school in Westminster on Oct. 5. Her body was found five days later in a field in Arvada. Authorities say Sigg confessed to the kidnapping and murder.

Authorities have also said that Sigg's first known attack was against a woman who was jogging around Ketner Lake over Memorial Day weekend.

Westminster park renamed after Jessica Ridgeway

A park in Westminster where Jessica Ridgeway once played has been renamed in memory of the 10-year-old who was abducted and murdered last month.

On Monday, the Westminster City Council unanimously voted to rename Chelsea Park, at 10765 Moore St., Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park.

Jessica Ridgeway
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The citizen-led initiative was headed by Linda Mitchell and Jon Johnston of the Westminster Noon Rotary Club, according to the agenda memorandum.

The Parks, Recreation and Libraries Advisory Board and staff supported the request, said Don Tripp, director of the parks, recreation and libraries department.

"We were getting letters and calls when she went missing and even more when it was discovered she was dead, asking that something be done in her memory," Tripp said.

The park is in the process of a redevelopment. Originally slated for 2014, the plan was moved up to next year when it was determined that the park would incorporate some of Jessica's favorite things, like purple, additional trees and a zip-line, Tripp said.

Family members attended the meeting on Monday and addressed the council about the renaming.

"Thank you for allowing the motion of the park to even come to this level," said family member Rebecca Ridgeway. "I just want to thank all of our community for supporting us and Jessica in the manner in which they have."

The old park sign has been removed and will be replaced in about two weeks, Tripp said.

Provided by Majestic Metals, the new sign will come at no cost to the city, Tripp said.

The parks department staff is working with the Ridgeway family, who want the theme and dedication of the park to be joyous, in celebration of Jessica's life, Tripp said.

The city is investing funds and accepting donations to be used for the park redevelopment.